Top Playoff Contenders
As playoffs are on the brink of beginning, and many teams regular seasons dwindle down, some are preparing for deep postseason runs. With some of the best talent the state has to offer right here in the 804 area, and…
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Continue ReadingAs playoffs are on the brink of beginning, and many teams regular seasons dwindle down, some are preparing for deep postseason runs. With some of the best talent the state has to offer right here in the 804 area, and a defending state champion in the backyard, it is no surprise that we finally take a look at these squads, and what it will take for them to be champions. Here we take a look at some of the top girl’s teams in the area.
Class 3A:
Hopewell Lady Blue Devils
Record: 15-1
Coach: Jackie Edmonds
The Run Down: The Hopewell Lady Blue Devils suffered their first lost, in the Athletes for Awareness event, held by the Huguenot Lady Falcons/Team Loaded Girls, to 4A Runner-Up, Lake Taylor. Before the loss, Hopewell was undefeated, winning on average by double digits. The road to 15-1 did not begin easy, and is what I think will be key in the Lady Blue Devils making another playoff run, a run last year that was cut short in the championship game. After beating 5A powerhouse, Highland Springs in overtime to begin the season, and pacing themselves with convincing wins throughout the season, the Blue Devils have nothing to hang their head about after a lost to a team they will likely be in the same position as come next month. Led by seniors, Courtney Scott, and Tynaja Simmons, in addition to super sophomore, Messiah Hunter, along with several other players who returned from last year’s roster, expect the Lady Blue Devils to be back at the Siegel Center.
Class 4A:
Monacan Lady Chiefs
Record: 11-4
Coach: Larry Starr
The Run Down: The Monacan Lady Chiefs have a winning culture. Head Coach, Larry Starr has had some of the best talent to come through Virginia in his hands, and nothing has changed. Sophomore, Jordan Hodges has led the Lady Chiefs to a 13-5 record. After an overtime win against Highland Springs in the Times Dispatch tournament, the Lady Chiefs suffered a three game losing streak. While many teams would begin to get discouraged, the Lady Chiefs instead are currently 9-1 in their last ten games, only dropping a game in overtime to the Lady Skyhawks of LC Bird (featured below). During this streak, the Lady Chiefs came up big with a huge 3-point victory over 6A powerhouse, Cosby, after previously being defeated by the Lady Titans by double digits earlier in the season. The Lady Chiefs have four more games left in the season, including a matchup against the Lady Blue Devils of Hopewell to end their regular season.
Class 5A:
LC Bird Lady Skyhawks
Record: 14-5
Coach: Chevette Waller
The Run Down: For the past several years, Head Coach, Chevette Waller has built a powerhouse at LC Bird. With a powerhouse boys program, and football program, it is no surprise the success the Lady Skyhawks program has had, and it has not stopped this season. The Lady Skyhawks are coming off a huge overtime victory over the Lady Chiefs of Monacan. Led by seniors, Jaden Watkins and Jayla Henderson, who combined for 63 of their teams 72 points, and nearly outscoring the Lady Chiefs on their own, the Lady Skyhawks have the experience and resume to make a run in the stacked, 5A playoffs.Girls basketball in both the 5A and 6A classes is always high level, and produces some of the best players the state has to offer. The Lady Skyhawks themselves, have only lost two district games, both to 6A playoff contenders (featured next), the defending 6A champions, the Cosby Lady Titans and the Lady Rapids of James River, who they will clash with once more as the regular season comes to an end.
Highland Springs Lady Springers
Record: 17-3
Coach: Franklin Harris
The Run Down: All of the Highland Springs Lady Springers losses have been decided by overtime, or 2 points. Their wins have come on average of double digits. The Lady Springers suffered two early, overtime season losses, and then got a huge win over 6A powerhouse, Cosby. After then dropping a game to previously featured LC Bird, they have not lost since, currently on an eleven game win streak, and with only two regular season games left, (Lee-Davis and Varina), they look to make it thirteen heading into the playoffs. Featuring super sophomore, Sydney Boone, and senior veteran, Jalen Gathers, just as the Lady Skyhawks, the Lady Springers have been in this sort of playoff position before, including previous berths in the 5A State Championship game. It will be interesting to watch, and wait to see if the Lady Skyhawks and Lady Springers will meet up again, and the Lady Springers will be able to avenge the earlier season lost.
Class 6A:
James River Lady Rapids
Record: 13-3
Coach: Henry Schechter
The Run Down: After going 17-9 last season, and losing in the quarterfinals of the State Championship playoffs, the Lady Rapids may be the biggest surprise team featured. After starting last season with a 2-3 record in their first five games, this one began a lot different, with the Lady Rapids getting into the swing of the season, starting on a 5-0 run.Their first lost was an earlier season lost to the Lady Knights of Thomas Dale, in their Lady Knights classic over the Christmas holiday Currently holding a 13-3 record, two of their losses have come at the hands of teams featured in this article.. Featuring junior, Grace Townsend who is currently averaging double digits, and has led the Lady Rapids in scoring in several of their big wins, the Lady Rapids are not a team to sleep on. After defeating the Lady Skyhawks at home, they face them again in a district showdown to wrap up the regular season.
Cosby Lady Titans
Record: 14-4
Coach: Rachel Mead
The Run Down: The Lady Titans have won three consecutive state championships. Led by senior, Nia Covington, who averaged a little over 15ppg in her junior season campaign, and had a big shot to take the Lady Titans to the championship game, nothing looks to change this season for this squad. They began the season too on a five game winning streak, after suffering back to back losses in the Times Dispatch tournament over the holdiay’s, the Lady Titans have only dropped two more games. One, a three point lost to previously featured Monacan, and the next against defending 5A state champions, powerhouse, Princess Anne out of Virginia Beach. Head coach, Rachel Mead has done an excellent job of developing her players, and in return, her players, in particular, Covington have passed the test. They return two additional starters from last year’s winning team, and are currently on a five game winning streak, heading into a huge game against the Lady Skyhawks of LC Bird as the regular season dwindles down.